Share values of property services firms tumble over fears of AI disruption | AI (artificial intelligence)
Publish Date: 2026-02-12 12:35:00
Source Domain: www.theguardian.com
- Shares in commercial property services companies experienced significant declines, with major players such as Savills, International Workplace Group, British Land, and Landsec seeing drops in their stock prices.
- The downturn in commercial property stocks has been driven by heightened fears regarding disruption from advances in artificial intelligence (AI), mirroring sell-offs affecting other sectors impacted by AI concerns.
- Shares of prominent U.S. firms like CBRE, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Cushman & Wakefield also plummeted, following steep declines from the previous day.
- Despite AI firms releasing new tools, analysts suggest the sell-off might be overdone due to limited news on Thursday and that the immediate impact on complex deal-making might be overstated.
- There are investor concerns that AI could automate many office-based jobs and reduce demand for commercial offices, posing long-term risks to property companies.
- Dallas-based CBRE reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and projected a year ahead, citing resilience in leasing and facilities management, and predicting a positive long-term impact from AI.
- CBRE’s CEO remains optimistic that the company’s core competencies—such as creativity, strategic thinking, and deep market knowledge—are not easily replaceable by AI in the near future.
